Beneath the modern-day veil of hip hop glam, conspicuous consumption, and Russian oligarchs, you will find in Miami one of the most thoroughly Art Deco cities in America. So iconic is art deco architecture for Miami, that in 1976 a group called the Miami Design Preservation League formed to protect the city’s most historically important buildings.
Miami circa 1920
Miami’s reputation as a playground for the rich is no new thing. Movie stars, politicians, businessmen and socialites have indulged their hedonistic desires in the city for decades. To outside investors, Miami appeared to be a tropical paradise, but with the advantage of being safely within the economic grounds of the U.S. Art Deco architecture in the 1920s and 30s was absolutely modern. It’s defined by its use of neoclassical styles and exotic floral and fauna motifs as well as geometric patterns. Miami Art Deco is particularly distinct in its use of tropical, pastel colours like lime green, tangerine orange, hot pink and turquoise.
A walking tour of Miami’s Art Deco architecture
Three main streets make up the majority of Miami’s best examples of Art Deco architecture. Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue from 6th to 23rd streets are the best places to start your tour. Ocean Drive is at the heart of South Beach and is particularly good for its assortment of cafes, bars and hotels. Collins Avenue runs parallel to the beach and is the main street for Miami’s big-name hotels. Washington Avenue, within the same area as Collins Avenue is where you can simultaneously shop and admire the historic architecture.
Noteworthy buildings
If it’s your first time visiting Miami Florida, it’s worth checking in at the Art Deco Welcome Centre on Ocean Drive. The centre can provide you with maps and even guided tours. Stop in at the Tower Theatre in Little Havana. It opened in 1926 and has since been fully restored to its former glory days. On Ocean Drive, be sure to check out the five-story Clevelander Hotel, Casa Casaurina—the Spanish mansion that used to be the home of Versace, and the magnificent Tides Hotel, designed in 1936. On Collins Avenue, don’t miss the National Hotel, the modernist Sagamore and the luxurious Raleigh Hotel.
